As the world gets more in tune with the earth and the damage that we as humans are doing to our environment, there is more talk about reducing waste and being more sustainable. To some people this can seem a little bit overwhelming because it’s new to us and is completely different from how we’re used to living our lives. But it doesn’t have to be.
You can take the small steps at home to reduce food waste and make sure that you’re reusing as much as possible and throwing out as little as possible. It’s a common misconception that you need to change everything in your life all at once in order to support sustainability and be more eco-friendly. But the truth is that developing small habits, one or two at a time, that stick is better than overwhelming yourself with the daunting task of going from leading a life with a lot of waste to going zero waste.
Below you’ll find some of the easiest ways to reduce food waste, and waste in general, at home which is a great start:
Reuse Jars
We often bring products into our homes that come in jars, or other packaging, that can be reused. Many of the jars we use at Legend’s Creek Farm for our body butters and herbal salves can make great food and leftover storage.
So when you have that little bit of tomato left from a salad you made, you can throw it into a jar you’ve repurposed so that you can use it in your next meal.
Learn to Properly Store Produce
One of the things that gets thrown out and wasted the most is produce. We have good intentions at the store when we’re buying it, but because it goes bad so much faster than other types of food, it sometimes doesn't get used in time and goes bad.
Throwing away produce is one of the main ways we waste food. You can remedy this by looking up the proper way to store certain produce so that it lasts longer.
For example, carrots can be stored in a jar filled with water and will last much longer without drying out and going wilted. In addition, leafy greens can be stored wrapped in a cloth towel to absorb any moisture that may start to wilt it.
Use What You Have
Most people will just go to the grocery store when they feel like they need food and will pick up whatever they want to eat in the following days without really taking into account what is already at home.
Because of this, most of us have pantries, refrigerators, and freezers full of food that eventually expires and has to be thrown away. Instead, take inventory of what you have at home, especially anything that is expiring soon, and make a meal plan based around those items.
Not only will you be positive that you’re eating all the food in your home, you’ll also save money because you’re not overbuying each week.
Keep Things Bare
If you have a fridge that is overflowing and you’re having to stack things on top of each other causing food to get buried in the back and go bad, this is creating even more food waste.
Instead of keeping your kitchen full of food, try keeping things a little more bare so that you can easily see what you have on hand and reduce the chances of food being forgotten about.
Be Mindful When Buying
A no cost way to reduce waste at home is to be more mindful when buying items. Most of us are very busy and tend to just shop as quickly as possible, but this can encourage more waste.
Being mindful of things like if the item you’re buying is needed and will be used for a long time or if it’s something you see yourself throwing out soon, can be really helpful. In addition, when grocery shopping or shopping for items that are consumable like candles or body butter, consider the containers your food is coming in.
Glass jars can be reused, or recycled, while plastic is much worse on the environment. Being mindful of what you’re bringing into your home and what it will look like leaving your home can be a great mindset shift to adopt.
As mentioned, don’t overwhelm yourself if trying to reduce waste is new to you. Do your best with what you have, create a plan to move forward in a more sustainable way, and allow yourself some flexibility as you get used to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Is there a woman who isn't looking for a better way to take care of their skin?
The whole idea behind Legends Creek Farm is less is more. Women shouldn’t have to agonize over finding multiple products and taking a ton of time to look and feel their best.
You should be able to simplify your skin care routine, and pare down to just a few items that allow you to look and feel your best. That’s why we originally created Legends Creek Farm and our line of products that can easily replace everything in your cabinet.
